Nal’ibali to launch special children’s literacy rights poster on World Book Day

Endorsed by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY International), The South African Book Development Council/National Book Week, The Publishers Association of South Africa (PASA), the Little Hands Trust, and PEN South Africa, the poster forms part of the campaign’s mission to deepen a culture of reading in the everyday lives of South Africans. 

“Many organisations and communities across South Africa are aware of the fundamental challenge we all face in bringing joy and meaning to print in South African languages to all our children – including the very youngest,” comments Carole Bloch, director of The Project for the Study of Alternative Education in South Africa (PRAESA), which is driving the Nal’ibali campaign. “At Nal’ibali, we believe all children can grow up to be powerful readers and writers and we hope to further empower them with this guide,” continues Bloch. 

The poster has been developed to further the impact of PRAESA’s 2014 Charter of Children’s Literacy Rights, which helps adults to put in place the conditions and resources children need to become fully literate. More than 14 000 copies of the charter were distributed to reading clubs, libraries, schools and other literacy organisations across the country in 2014. 

In 2015, the campaign has committed to creating an awareness among children themselves about powerful ways they can experience the written word, regardless of their background and languages, as well as the role they can play in this process. As such, the poster uses child-friendly language and its eight short messages are brought to life with scenes depicting the Nal’ibali family of characters created by renowned illustrator, Rico.

“The poster is available in all 11 South African languages to ensure ease of access to the content, and to affirm the equal importance of all languages for literacy development,” adds Nal’ibali Content Development Manager Arabella Koopman. 

Examples of children’s literacy rights:

To ensure the poster reaches as many children as possible, a copy has been published in the Nal’ibali reading-for-enjoyment supplement, available in select Times Media newspapers and distributed for free to over 300 schools, reading clubs, literacy NGOs and libraries in six provinces. Partners such as fellow literacy organisation, Biblionef, and children’s networks including Giving Hope to Children of South Africa (CHOSA), the Desmond Tutu Foundation and the Centre for Early Childhood Development in Cape Town, along with members of the SA Booksellers Association, have also come on board to distribute the poster to children in their networks. Copies in all languages will also be free to download from the Nal’ibali website from World Book Day onwards.

And, to celebrate the launch, Nal’ibali will be hosting a series of book parties at reading clubs across the country. Inviting children from the surrounding communities to join them for an afternoon of books and stories, Nal’ibali will be giving away copies of the poster as well as age and language appropriate books to their young guests and regular members.

Local author and storyteller, Zanele Ndlovo, children’s television presenter, Karabo Bonco, and narrators of the Nal’ibali storytime slots on Umhlobo Wenene FM, Ukhozi FM, Thobela FM and Lesedi FM radio stations will give surprise visits at the parties, sharing their own favourite stories and the role books and stories have played in their lives. Joining them, Emile Jansen, AKA Emile YX?, a break-dancer, hip-hop pioneer, activist and writer, will be speaking to teens to encourage them to act as reading role models for their younger brothers and sisters. 

“The fact that PRAESA has recently been honoured as the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award Laureate for 2015 puts the global spotlight on South Africa and gives weight to the language and literacy work we do in collaboration with many others. With the deep and damaging societal schisms we need to address, it’s urgent that children have all the opportunities possible to develop as highly literate, critical and empathetic people. Sharing this poster is a step in this direction,” concludes Bloch.

Members of the public are encouraged to download a copy of the poster and/or charter in their languages of choice from the Nal’ibali website or email [email protected] to request a copy of the poster. 

For more information about the Nal'ibali reading-for-enjoyment campaign, or to access children's stories in a range of South African languages, as well as tips on reading and writing with children, visit www.nalibali.org and/or www.nalibali.mobi. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook and on Twitter.